Data Specialist

Caterpillar Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 98,000 - 146,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Paid time off

401(k) savings plans

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Career Development

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. in Chicago is seeking a Data Specialist to help shape the data foundation across Cat Digital. You will partner with business and engineering teams to turn complex data challenges into scalable models that enable trusted insights and support better business decisions.

The role emphasizes designing data models, collaborating across domains, and maintaining documentation to ensure data quality and reuse.

Qualifications

• Designing complex data models across programs.
• Strong knowledge of DDL and query optimization.
• Relational and non-relational databases.
• Experience analyzing large datasets; Snowflake preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design and maintain data models for Cat Digital programs.
• Translate program requirements into scalable data structures.
• Define consistent data entities and modeling standards.
• Collaborate with data engineers on pipelines.
• Validate data models to improve quality and performance.
• Maintain model documentation and data lineage.

Skills

Communicating Concepts

Agile Development

Cloud Computing

Database Design

ETL Process

Modeling Data

Tools

Snowflake

Job description

Career Area:

Technology, Digital and Data

Job Description:

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

When you join Caterpillar, you’rejoining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don’tjust talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.

Job Summary:

Help shape the data foundation behind a variety of programs across Cat Digital as a Data Specialist. Partner with business and engineering teams to turn complex data challenges into scalable models that connect information, enable trusted insights, and support better business decisions.

What You Will Do:

• Design and maintain conceptual, logical, and physical data models supporting a variety of programs across Cat Digital.
• Partner with business stakeholders, architects, and engineering teams to translate program requirements into scalable data structures and relationships.
• Define consistent data entities, business definitions, and modeling standards to promote reuse and alignment across programs.
• Collaborate with data engineers to implement models across databases, data platforms, and integration pipelines.
• Validate and optimize data models to improve data quality, integrity, query performance, and usability.
• Maintain model documentation, source-to-target mappings, and data lineage while assessing the impact of changes across dependent systems.

What You Will Have:

• Communicating Complex Concepts: Knowledge of effective presentation tools and techniques to ensure clear understanding; ability to use summarization and simplification techniques to explain complex technical concepts in simple, clear language appropriate to the audience.
• Agile Development: Knowledge of agile methodologies and the agile development lifecycle; ability to utilize formal agile methodologies, disciplines, practices and techniques for the delivery of new and enhanced applications.
• Cloud Computing: Knowledge of cloud-based solutions and their applications; ability to design, implement, and manage cloud-based solutions to meet business needs and improve operational efficiency.
• Database Design (Logical & Physical): Knowledge of database systems; ability to establish a data model for designing an organization’s database that runs effectively and efficiently for better business outcome.
• ETL Process: Knowledge of the extraction, transformation and loading (ETL) process; ability to develop a database through the ETL process.
• Modeling: Data, Process, Events, Objects: Knowledge of data, process and events; ability to use tools and techniques for analyzing and documenting logical relationships among data, processes or events.

Top Candidates Will Have:

• Previous experience designing complex data models across multiple programs
• Deep knowledge of DDL and query optimization
• Deep knowledge of relational and non-relational databases
• Demonstrated ability to analyze large data sets using transactional databases and warehouse environments. (Snowflake highly desired)

Summary Pay Range:

$97,530.00 - $146,290.00

Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location,job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar.

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits*
• Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*
• 401(k) savings plans*
• Health Savings Account (HSA)*
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*
• Health Lifestyle Programs*
• Employee Assistance Program*
• Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts*
• Career Development*
• Incentive bonus*
• Disability benefits
• Life Insurance
• Parental leave
• Adoption benefits
• Tuition Reimbursement

* These benefits also apply to part‑time employees

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Posting Dates:

October 22, 2026 -

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.